Riders to the Sea Book Summary

A Brief Overview:

• The tragic fate of the islanders of the Aran Island is the core of Riders to the Sea by J.M.Synge. The play focuses on Maurya, who has lost almost all male members of her family to the inevitable power of the sea – their provider and the destroyer.

The Opening Scene

In the opening scene, Nora comes in with a bundle in hand and discusses with Cathleen that the bundle might belong to their missing brother – Michael, as a drowned body, as per the priest, was recently spotted at Donegal. 

Neither Nora nor Cathleen wants their mother - Maurya, to know about this situation and hides the bundle in the loft. They are afraid that Maurya won’t be able to bear the loss of another son as she has already lost her husband and four sons to the sea. 

Maurya Prepares for Michael’s Funeral

On the other hand, readers are introduced to Maurya, who is preparing for the funeral of Michael, as if it’s her monotonous routine. She is consumed in grief and laments over her losses to the destructive sea. 

While preparing the whiteboard for Michael’s coffin, Maurya expresses her fear to Nora and Cathleen of losing her remaining son – Bartley, who in order to sustain his family, is all set to go to the Galway fair, crossing the sea to sell off the family horses. 

Although Nora and Cathleen try to reassure her and admit, they are in dire need of the money, Maurya is still haunted by the losses and hopeful that the priest will not allow Bartley to go to the sea in such a dangerous tide situation. 

Arrival and Departure of Bartley

Soon, Bartley enters the cottage, determined to go to the sea. He prepares for his journey as he looks for new rope to create a halter for the horses. However, Maurya pleads for him to stay back. She tries to side-track him by showcasing Michael’s funeral preparations. But, all in vain.

Bartley, despite all of Maurya’s protest – changes his clothes, bids goodbye to his sisters, asks them to take care and leaves for the sea without receiving Maurya’s blessings. Maurya deeply distressed, breaks the age-old Irish tradition and refuses to bless Bartley for his journey.

As Bartley makes his way with a red mare and a grey pony, Cathleen notices he has forgotten to carry his food. She quickly asks Maurya to give him the food along with her blessings. 

Maurya carries a stick brought by Michael as she leaves with a lament about how in her family, the older ones never left anything for their heirs.

Nora and Cathleen Checks the Bundle

As the sisters are left alone, they quickly retrieve the bundle from the loft to check if the belongings are Michael’s. Nora finds her stitches on the clothes and assures that they belong to Michael. 

With this fact, they realise Michael is dead. Plus, he is already buried by the priest. But, they hide the clothes immediately thinking of Maurya’s arrival. They guessed she would be in a happy mood after blessing Bartley.

Maurya is Panic-stricken

However, Maurya returns with a panic-stricken mood. She claims she has seen Michael on Bartley’s grey pony. As a result of the shock, she couldn’t even bless Bartley. 

Upon hearing the news, Nora and Cathleen try to calm their mother. They show Michael’s clothes and inform Maurya about Michael’s proper burial.

The Tragic News

As Maurya laments the death of her son – Michael, she is interrupted by the islanders. They have brought the body of her last son – Bartley and informed her, that Bartley was drowned in the sea after the grey pony knocked him.

Maurya Surrenders to Fate

The play ends with her surrendering herself to fate. As she sprinkles holy water on Bartley, she says she has nothing to worry about anymore. She has lost all the men of her family and is left all alone with her daughters, all broken by the relentless power of the sea.